...(book review) the deathless girls by kiran millwood hargrave

On the eve of their divining, the day Lil and her twin sister Kizzy are to discover their fate, they're captured and enslaved by the cruel Boyar Valcar. Far away from their beloved Traveller community, and forced to work in the harsh castle kitchens, Lil finds some comfort in storm-eyed Mira, a fellow slave who she's drawn to in ways she doesn't understand. But too soon she also learns about the Dragon, a mysterious and terrifying man of myth, who takes girls as gifts. 

They may not have had their divining day, but the girls will still discover their fate...

THE DEATHLESS GILRS by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Published: Sep 2019

Genre: YA Fantasy Fiction

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's been quite some time since I greeted the sun as I shut the cover on a book, reading through the night without realising it, and howling at the moon with sorrow at the misfortune of the characters.
The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is myth meets fantasy. It's legend elaborated on and unveiled, a stunning re-visioning of the dark sisters mentioned in Bram Stoker's Dracula which gives it delicious gothic undertones.

That is as close to the brink of spoiling this story as I will tiptoe, but I will acknowledge how well conceived it was, and how captivatingly it was written. Told from the perspective of Lil, one of the twins, this story is so unusual and intriguing. We're carried through a fantasy realm of forests and mountains, so beautiful and yet so wrought with danger.

As always, it is the physical beauty of this book that first attracted me. The title ensnared my curiosity, but it was the colours in the cover alone that urged me to drop it into my basket - I always judge a book partly by its cover, for the covers give clues to genre and content. The illustrations of this one by Olga Baumert implied that this one was undoubtedly a fantasy which was reason enough for me to want it, but the author was a delicious bonus. I've loved everything I've read by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. She is my new discovery, despite the fact that her first book was published in 2016. The Deathless Girls was her 4th published novel, and her 5th The Mercies (published January of this year) became so desirable to me after reading The Deathless Girls, that I broke my vow not to buy books online during Lockdown, and put in an Amazon Prime order immediately!

The strong feminist tones of this book were so empowering; the characters are heroines despite the conditions of slavery that the girls find themselves in. They strive to maintain some essence of their freedom. The way this is approached is I'm sure what makes this book feel relatable to the young women who will read it. There is an understanding of unbreakable bonds between the characters that is so simple and yet so complex, but that makes them feel so real and relatable to read.

I could write for days about this book, but I won't lest I spoil it for anyone - but rest assured I would not review what I did not wholeheartedly recommend! This is a 5 star YA fantasy fiction, which is a genre I could happily live within forever, so perhaps I am bias? But I don't think so on this occassion!
If you read it on my recommendation, please let me know what you think! I'd love to hear your opinions!

Until next week,
Zuzu ~

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...(book review) green angel by alice hoffman

THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED. Left on her own when her family died in a terrible disaster, fifteen-year-old Green is haunted by loss and by the past. Struggling to survive physically and emotionally in a place where nothing seems to grow and ashes are everywhere, Green retreats into the ruined realm of her garden. But in destroying her feelings, she also begins to destroy herself, erasing the girl she'd once been as she inks darkness into her skin. It is only through a series of mysterious encounters that Green can relearn the lessons of love and begin to heal enough to tell her story...

GREEN ANGEL by Alice Hoffman

Published: 2003

Genre: YA Fiction

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Let me begin by saying how difficult it is going to be to articulate the great swelling feelings I have about this book, because I don’t think my own words can pay suitable homage to what's caught between it's pages.

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman is a hauntingly beautiful 2003 YA fiction set in an intriguing post apocalyptic world. It's a story that I first read a few years ago, and find myself drawn to over and over again - even if it's just to flick through the pages and remember...

It's a reasonably short book and I read it in a single night, utterly devoted to Green's journey. I sat up until 4am, crying and feeling every moment until I was through. It is achingly lovely, which is a strange thing to say of a book flooded with so many dark and despairing corners, but light presses in so brightly you cannot help but feel uplifted by it.

There's a quote that says: "If you truly love a book, you should sleep with it, write in it, read aloud from it, and fill its pages with muffin crumbs." ~ Anne Fadiman. 
And this is exactly what I did! I kept this book close. I tucked it under the pillow beside me and kept it there for several days, as if doing so would somehow allow me to continue absorbing its potency whilst I slept.

I've said before that the words don’t judge a book by its cover are completely lost on me. I am a judger of the highest degree, and it is for exactly this reason that this book even fell into my hands in the first place. The design by Elizabeth Parisi and illustrations by Matt Mahurin combine to make the beautiful but modest little green book that I picked up at a library book sale roughly ten years ago now. I'm ashamed by how long it took me to read it!

I love everything about it: the decoration of the introductory pages, the cover design, the way the book is divided into sections rather than chapters, titled HEART, SOUL, TREASURE, RAIN and SISTER; all illustrated and bewitching. 

The last thing that is printed in my edition of this book reads: The author’s portion of the advance from this edition of Green Angel is being donated to The Green Angel Grant at The New York Women's Foundation 34 West 22^nd Street, New York, NY 10010.
I think this made me love this book and its author even more if that's even possible. And, of course, I checked out the above link, and organization, and I am so awed by what they do.

At last, when I could be persuaded to relinquish Green Angel from my possession, I passed it on, knowing that a book this special had to be shared. I started with my mum, who sent me a message a few days later with this quote attached:
"On rare occasions there comes along a profound original, an odd little book that appears out of nowhere from the pen of some obscure storyteller, and once you have read it, you will never go completely back to where you were before. The kind of book you may hesitate to lend for fear you might miss it's company. The kind of book that echoes from the heart of some ancient knowing, and whispers from time's long forgotten cave that life may be more than it seems, and less." ~ E.J Banfield.

Although this quote does not directly reference Green Angel, it made me smile to realise that it reminded her of Alice Hoffman's book. There are many stories out there inspiring quotes like this. Books have that power to connect people. Books have magic, and this one more than most! Please, get hold of this book! Spread the gospel of it. If you are already in possession of a copy, read it if you haven’t done so already! And if you already have, read it again! Hold it close. Find it a place of honour on your bookshelf and treasure it forever!

~ Zuzu 

Until next time, find me across social media Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates and all things bookish...

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...a spectrum of books

Rainbows have become something of an inspirational symbol throughout this pandemic; people are posting them on social media to support the key workers, and children are hanging them in windows to make others smile when passing by. They're the ultimate symbol of hope, so often appearing with the sunshine after the rain - and I for one have chosen to embrace this spectrum of positivity in every aspect. Including in books!

Lockdown has afforded me ample time to read, and so I've been making the most of the weather,  sitting in my little garden and making my way through an array of colourful covers. I started so productively. Week one of Lockdown, I devoured three books, The Secret Garden, Waiting For Godo and The Catcher In The Rye. But in week two, I barely read half a book. The reason being that I can't seem to fall in love with the genre. The Savage Garden by Mark Mills is a 'hugely atmospheric murder mystery' set in Tuscany 1958...or so says the back cover. There's no denying it's well written, and very descriptive. You can almost feel the heat of the town leaping off the page. But the pace is slow, and honestly I'm not enraptured by the plot, or the characters.
I don't like to besmirch books simply because they're not my cup of tea, so don't let me discourage you from reading this one if it takes your fancy. I firmly believe that every author is worthy of being published because there is an audience for every written work. I'm persevering because I'm hoping a snag in the plot is coming up that will capture my attention and soothe my mild curiosity as to where the story is going. It takes a lot for me to abandon a book mid-read.

This year, I've tried to expand my reading horizons to encompass different genres: autobiographies, plays, middle grade fiction, coming of age fiction (so far). But the magnetism of magic and fantasy always reels me back like a fish on a hook. I'm taunted daily by the next book on my TO READ pile. I've said before that the phrase, "don't judge a book by it's cover" is completely lost on me, and The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is a prime example! It has a cover that makes my fingers itch to open it! It's ripe with colour and intrigue and I so want to be done with my current book to read the next!!

So whilst everyone is stuck in lockdown, I though I'd create a rainbow of book that have lived up to their expectations and my judgement of their covers - all fantasy/fairy-tale/magical genres in case anyone is looking for recommendations. These are all books I've read in the past six months, and loved!

RED : The Girl In Red by Christina Henry - one of those brilliant twists on a fairy tale. Red Riding Hood in case you hadn't guessed. I picked this one because it very aptly takes place during a pandemic, so if you're in the right head space to read this, I thoroughly recommend.

ORANGE : The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman - the third book in The Invisible Library Series. All are incredible and I have more on my to read pile.

YELLOW : The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hardgrave. This one is a middle grade fantasy, but at the age of 26 I solemnly swear that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's quick paced and well charactered.

GREEN : The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Again! This was the first book I read by this author, and clearly it encouraged me to read more of her work! I read it over Christmas when I'm at my busiest with work, and this was a nice escape in the evenings and book I looked forward to returning to.

BLUE : The Beasts Heart by Leife Shallcross. The first and only book I've read from this author, but I'd love to read more! It's a very magical twist on Beauty and the Beast, but told from the Beast's perspective.

INDIGO (kind of) : Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. Another of my favourite authors. I've actually got a book review planned for one of her books in a later blog. Practical Magic ticked all the right boxes for me. I suppose it would be classed as magical realism, where the magic takes places in our world, rather than in a fantastical land that exists in the minds of authors and the ink from their pens.

VIOLET : Spindles End by Robin McKinley. A spin on Sleeping Beauty and a very magical one at that. I love this author too, and I thoroughly recommend his work.

I could come up with a book to represent every colour in between I'm sure, but for now that's my rainbow of recommendations!
I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you read, or have already read any of them - and tell me your thoughts. I love a good book discussion.

Until next week!
Zuzu 🖋

Find me on Facebook @zuzuspages and Instagram @zuzuspages for daily book, writing and blogging updates ~

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...when a cat lends a paw to the writing process

Lockdown is not ideal as I'm sure we all know, but it is essential and therefore we have to make the best of it. I can't do my usual job from home, and so, I've been left with an abundance of time to write and read and edit and generally lose myself quite happily in all things book related. Ideal, yes? Blissful, some might say. I would agree, up until the point that my cats get involved.

Above is a fairly accurate photograph of my view for the past thirteen days. This is Leo. He's a needy puss at the best of times, so having me home with him 24/7 is his dream! He's spent every waking hour making sure he is the object of my undivided attention. He's achieved this by sitting on my laptop, knocking books out of my hands and volunteering his paw as a bookmark lest I forget that he is sitting with me.

Leo's bookmark paw

Molly, my secondary hinderance, is usually indifferent to my existence until the time comes for her food. But since lockdown was put in place, she has decided my constant presence at home has deemed me worthy of her attention. She has become very "helpful", volunteering her time as a body guard for my pristine, freshly printed submission. Needless to say it's no longer in fit condition to be sent to an agent.

(Left) Lord Leo...supporting me through the writing process 

(Right) Miss Molly...on my submission

Leo...about two seconds 

before he stood on the keyboard

My sympathies to pet owners who are overcoming furry obstacles whilst trying to work from home. But as frustrating and funny as it can be, let us not forget that things have been disrupted for our pets too, and that they don't understand why. Be assured, mine have been doted on and given a great deal of extra love! They would not have it any other way, for after all, I am merely their servant!

This blog is going to be a short and sweet one because it's difficult to type with a cat attempting to drape himself across your keyboard...I wish I was kidding!

Stay safe everyone. I hope you're staying positive and keeping occupied during this bizarre and uncertain time. Fingers crossed it will all be over soon! In the meantime, I'm sticking to my usual blogging schedule of Monday's 6pm. Find me on Facebook @zuzuspages and Instagram @zuzuspages in between blogs for writing updates and all things bookish!

Zuzu 🖋

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